With the start of a new school year, parents across the country are busy checking off their school supplies, clothing, and technology needs. But Pacific University healthcare experts remind parents that preparing their children for academic success goes beyond pencils, laptops, and backpacks—it also includes comprehensive oral health, hearing, and vision screenings.
According to faculty and staff at Pacific University’s Schools of Dental Hygiene, Audiology, and Optometry, untreated oral, ear, or eye problems can directly impact a child’s attention span, classroom participation, and ability to academically keep up with their peers.
For example, toothaches caused by untreated cavities can distract students from class; hearing impairments can cause them to miss important instructions; and vision problems can make reading and screen-based learning frustrating or even impossible.
Professors recently shared their insights on Portland’s KOIN AM Extra, emphasizing the importance of early detection and treatment. The conversation was part of the station’s annual “Back to School Week” initiative, which aims to help families prepare for a healthy and successful school year.
Dr. Sarah Thompson, a dental hygiene instructor, emphasized the importance of preventive care: “Oral health is often overlooked in back-to-school planning, but it’s essential to overall health. Regular checkups can detect cavities before they cause pain or missed classes.”
Dr. James Rivera of the Audiology Institute noted that hearing screenings are equally important. “Even mild hearing loss can make it difficult for students to keep up in a noisy classroom environment.
Identifying problems early allows us to provide hearing aids or other interventions before academic achievement is affected.”
Dr. Emily Chen, a vision care specialist, added that undiagnosed vision problems often go unnoticed by parents and teachers. “Children don’t always realize their vision differs from their peers.
Eye exams can identify eye conditions like myopia or astigmatism, which are easily correctable and can significantly improve a child’s learning experience.”
Experts urge parents to schedule these screenings at the beginning of the school year or before, prioritizing them with essential items like school bags, lunch boxes, and new shoes. The message is clear: healthy mouths, ears, and eyes are as important to academic success as textbooks.
